More Information about Maryland Theft Laws

Unauthorized Control Over Property

A person may not willfully or knowingly obtain or exert unauthorized control over property, if the person:

intends to deprive the owner of the property;

willfully or knowingly uses, conceals, or abandons the property in a manner that deprives the owner of the property; or

uses, conceals, or abandons the property knowing the use, concealment, or abandonment probably will deprive the owner of the property.

Maryland Theft Penalties

Offense

Penalty

Classification (Misdemeanor or Felony)

Additional Conditions

Theft of property or services less than $100 (CR 7-104(g)(3))

Subject to imprisonment not exceeding 90 days or a fine not exceeding $500 or both

Misdemeanor

shall restore the property taken to the owner or pay the owner the value of the property or services

Theft of property or services less than $1000 (CR 7-104(g)(2))

Subject to imprisonment not exceeding 18 months or a fine not exceeding $500 or both

Misdemeanor

shall restore the property taken to the owner or pay the owner the value of the property or services

Theft of property of services at least $1,000 but less than $10,000 (CR 7-104(g)(1)(i))

Subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $10,000 or both

Felony

shall restore the property taken to the owner or pay the owner the value of the property or services

Theft of property or services of at least $10,000 but less than $100,000

Subject to imprisonment not exceeding 15 years or a fine not exceeding $15,000 or both

Felony

shall restore the property taken to the owner or pay the owner the value of the property or services

Theft of property or services $100,000 or more (CR 7-104(g)(1)(iii))

Subject to imprisonment not exceeding 25 years or a fine not exceeding $25,000 or both

Felony

shall restore the property taken to the owner or pay the owner the value of the property or services

Motor vehicle theft (CR 7-105)

Subject to imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or a fine not exceeding $5,000 or both

Felony

shall restore the motor vehicle or, if unable to restore the motor vehicle, pay to the owner the full value of the motor vehicle

Newspaper Theft (CR 7-106)

Subject to imprisonment not exceeding 60 days or a fine not exceeding $500 or both

Misdemeanor

Embezzlement - Fraudulent misappropriation by fiduciary (CR 7-113)

Subject to imprisonment for not less than 1 year and not exceeding 5 years

Misdemeanor

Theft of grocery carts (CR 7-201)

Subject to a fine not exceeding $25 for each violation

Misdemeanor

Unauthorized removal of property (CR 7-203)

Subject to imprisonment for not less than 6 months and not exceeding 4 years or a fine not less than $50 and not exceeding $100 or both

Misdemeanor

shall restore the property taken and carried away in violation of this section or, if unable to restore the property, shall pay to the owner the full value of the property

Failure to return rental vehicle (CR 7-205)

Subject to imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or a fine not exceeding $500 or both

Misdemeanor

Obtain Control by Deception

A person may not obtain control over property by willfully or knowingly using deception, if the person:

intends to deprive the owner of the property;

willfully or knowingly uses, conceals, or abandons the property in a manner that deprives the owner of the property; or

uses, conceals, or abandons the property knowing the use, concealment, or abandonment probably will deprive the owner of the property.

Possess Stolen Property

A person may not possess stolen personal property knowing that it has been stolen, or believing that it probably has been stolen, if the person:

intends to deprive the owner of the property;

willfully or knowingly uses, conceals, or abandons the property in a manner that deprives the owner of the property; or

uses, conceals, or abandons the property knowing that the use, concealment, or abandonment probably will deprive the owner of the property.

In the case of a person in the business of buying or selling goods, the knowledge required under this subsection may be inferred if:

the person possesses or exerts control over property stolen from more than one person on separate occasions;

during the year preceding the criminal possession charged, the person has acquired stolen property in a separate transaction; or

being in the business of buying or selling property of the sort possessed, the person acquired it for a consideration that the person knew was far below a reasonable value.

In a prosecution for theft by possession of stolen property under this subsection, it is not a defense that:

the person who stole the property has not been convicted, apprehended, or identified;

the defendant stole or participated in the stealing of the property;

the property was provided by law enforcement as part of an investigation, if the property was described to the defendant as being obtained through the commission of theft; or

the stealing of the property did not occur in the State.

Unless the person who criminally possesses stolen property participated in the stealing, the person who criminally possesses stolen property and a person who has stolen the property are not accomplices in theft for the purpose of any rule of evidence requiring corroboration of the testimony of an accomplice.

Control Property That Was Lost, Mislaid, or Delivered under Mistake

A person may not obtain control over property knowing that the property was lost, mislaid, or was delivered under a mistake as to the identity of the recipient or nature or amount of the property, if the person:

knows or learns the identity of the owner or knows, is aware of, or learns of a reasonable method of identifying the owner;

fails to take reasonable measures to restore the property to the owner; and

intends to deprive the owner permanently of the use or benefit of the property when the person obtains the property or at a later time.

Obtain Services of Others

A person may not obtain the services of another that are available only for compensation:

by deception; or

with knowledge that the services are provided without the consent of the person providing them.

Under this section, an offender’s intention or knowledge that a promise would not be performed may not be established by or inferred solely from the fact that the promise was not performed.

If you have been charged or arrested for Theft and Larceny in Maryland, you need an experience, skilled, trusted, and knowledgeable Theft and Larceny criminal defense attorney. Without the assistance and help, you have little chance of winning your case, if it goes to trial.Theft and Larceny cases can be complicated and difficult to litigate and defend. That is why it is so important to retain the services of an experienced defense attorney like Randolph Rice. Larceny charges are strongly pursued by law enforcement and the state’s attorney for the jurisdiction in which the crime allegedly occurred.Why Choose the Law Offices of G. Randolph Rice, Jr., LLC for your Criminal Defense?

Theft Attorneys in Baltimore Maryland

Attorney Randolph Rice – 410.288.2900

At the Law Offices of G. Randolph Rice, Jr., LLC, we will conduct a thorough investigation into the details and specifics of your charges. We will formulate the most appropriate argument for your defense.

Often, the law enforcement agencies or State’s Attorney’s office for the county you are charged in will overlook an aspect of the case, if this happen, we will find other witnesses or evidence to present to the Court or state’s attorney’s office to support your side of the case. We will work with you and fight for your rights and freedoms.

Don’t Go to Court Alone. A criminal conviction can affect the rest of your life. You could spend years in jail, pay fines, Court costs and regret not having a professional attorney advising you on the best decisions in your criminal case. Call Attorney Randolph Rice at 410.288.2900 to schedule a FREE criminal defense consultation. We have years of experience and we can put that knowledge to work in your criminal case.

Maryland Criminal Law § 7-104 provides the statutes and penalties for general theft in Maryland.

What Are The Penalties For Theft In Maryland?

Penalty for Less than $100.00

If you are convicted in Maryland and the property or services have a value of less than $100.00 then you are subject to imprisonment not exceeding 90 days or a fine not exceeding $500 or both. Theft less than $100.00 is classified as a misdemeanor in Maryland.

Penalty for Less than $1,000.00

If you are convicted in Maryland and the property or services have a value of less than $1,000.00 then you are subject to imprisonment not exceeding 18 months or a fine not exceeding $ 500 or both. Theft less than $1,000.00 is classified as a misdemeanor in Maryland.

Penalty for at least $1,000.00 but less than $10,000.00

If you are convicted in Maryland and the property or services have a value of at least $1,000 but less than $10,000 then you are subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $ 10,000 or both. Theft of at least $1,000.00 but less than $10,000.00 is classified as a felony in Maryland.

Penalty for at least $10,000.00 but less than $100,000.00

If you are convicted in Maryland and the property or services have a value of at least $10,000 but less than $100,000 then you are subject to imprisonment not exceeding 15 years or a fine not exceeding $ 15,000 or both. Theft of at least $10,000 but less than $100,000 is classified as a felony in Maryland.

Penalty for Theft of $100,000.00 or more

If you are convicted in Maryland and the property or services have a value of $100,000.00 or more then you are subject to imprisonment not exceeding 25 years or a fine not exceeding $ 25,000 or both. Theft of more than $100,000 is classified as a felony in Maryland.

Share this:

"Great lawyer! I am so happy that I choose Randolph Rice to represent me for my case. I've used him in the past and he once again did everything he said he was going to do and more. He was understanding of my issue and he was always there to answer my questions and make me feel better about what I was going through. I would not hesitate in referring Mr. Rice to anyone that needs the best lawyer for their case. He returns phone calls, he listens and he works to make sure you get the best outcome, as he did in my case. Thank you again Mr. Rice!!!!"